Crabeater seal drops in from Antarctica
Ann said it was only the third recorded sighting of a crabeater seal off the KwaZulu-Natal coastline in the past 40 years.
In what is a very rare occurrence, a crabeater seal recently popped in for a visit to the popular tourist town of Ramsgate.
That’s a very long way to travel as these seals generally call the coast of Antarctica home, according to Ann Kunz, spokesman for the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (Saambr).
He’s been named Ragnar after the legendary Viking Ragnar Lothbrok and was seen by locals resting on rocks at Ramsgate beach.
The Lower South Coast SPCA was alerted and captured the seal, thereafter taking it to uShaka Sea World for observation.
Ann said it was only the third recorded sighting of a crabeater seal off the KwaZulu-Natal coastline in the past 40 years.
“As rare as these sightings are in South Africa, possibly even rarer still is the sighting of not one, but two crabeater seals in South Africa on the same day, with another spotted in East London.”
Dr Francois Lampen, the resident veterinarian at uShaka Sea World, examined Ragnar upon his arrival and found him to be in good overall health, although understandably a little stressed.
He’s been homed in a rehabilitation holding pool, where he’s been left to rest and adjust to his new surroundings.
Animal care staff members are investigating why he may have strayed so far from his natural feeding grounds.
Ironically, crabeater seals do not eat crabs. Rather, they are specialist feeders, feeding on the abundant krill of the Southern Ocean.
The team is researching and implementing innovative ways to entice feeding and has been in touch with marine biologist Dr Greg Hofmeyer at Bayworld PE for guidance on Ragnar’s care, treatment and reintroduction to the ocean.
“Although crabeater seals are among the most abundant seal species in the world, Ragnar is unique to us here and we will do our best to ensure that he is soon fit and strong enough to make his way back to the Antarctica,” said Ann.
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